Broken Stories is a compilation of Short Stories and Novelettes that accompanies the Broken World Series. From California to Oklahoma, South Carolina and Colorado, readers will get a glimpse at what other people went through before, during and after the zombie virus outbreak.
Some of the characters featured in these stories have close ties to the main characters in the Broken World series, while others are brand new. It’s an emotional, intense and exciting look at how the zombie apocalypse has changed the world.
I'm a mom of four, Air Force wife, and author of adult and young adult dystopian, post-apocalyptic, and science fiction. I love intense world building and character driven stories that feature strong female leads - as well as a side of romance - and any end of the world scenario. Zombies, aliens, a distant future where people have no clue how the world ended in the first place, you name it, I will create a story there!
Having lived in a lot of different places after more than a decade as an Air Force wife, I love setting my books in cities I've actually lived in to give them authenticity. I've resided in: Indiana, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, California, and Oklahoma but am currently back in my home state of Ohio where I live with my husband, four kids, two dogs, and three cats.
When I'm not writing, you can find me by my pool (in the summer), getting lost in some binge-worthy show or at a play with my husband, patronizing one of the great restaurants in my small town of Troy, Ohio with my family, or traveling. I want to see everything and make a point of visiting a new place every year!
Some of my favorite books are The Hunger Games, Pride and Prejudice, The Host, and The Stand. My favorite movies are Aliens, Jaws, Signs, Say Anything, Everything Everywhere All At Once, and The Greatest Showman.
Awards:
Outliers Winner in the 2018 Kindle Books Awards for Sci-Fi/Fantasy Fiction B.R.A.G.Medallion Honoree Finalist in the 2018 Wishing Shelf Book Awards For Adult Fiction Top 10 Finalist in the Author Academy Awards for Sci-Fi/Fantasy Fiction Cover Finalist in the 2019 RONE Awards from InD'tale Magazine
When We Were Human 2015 Children's Moonbeam Awards Silver Medal winner for Young Adult Fantasy/Sci-Fi Fiction 2016 Readers' Favorite Gold Medal Winner for Young Adult Science Fiction
Tribe of Daughters Winner in the 2020 RONE Awards for Time Travel/Science Fiction Bronze Medal Winner in the 2019 Readers' Favorite Book Awards for Science Fiction Honorable Mention in the 2018 SPR Book Awards
I had a great time with this audiobook! I am a fan of Kate L. Mary's work so I was eager to give this collection of stories a try. As a reader of her work, it was nice to see a few familiar characters and other characters that have been talked about but I also think that this would be a great place to start. I found this to be a very quick and enjoyable listen.
This collection has a nice variety of stories. Some stories are longer while others are pretty quick but they all grabbed my attention and held it throughout the story. Usually, with short story collections, I have found that one or two stories will be more of a miss for me but in this collection, I found that I really enjoyed each of the stories. I liked the fact that these stories gave some insight into a few familiar characters without spoiling any of the full books in the series.
This is the first time that I have listened to Kathleen Miranti's narration and I thought that she did a great job with this collection of stories. There were a few stories that were pretty emotional and I think that she did a great job of conveying that emotion through her reading. I think that she had a very pleasant voice that was easy to listen to for hours at a time.
I would recommend this book to others. I really enjoyed getting a chance to experience a wide range of experiences these characters were facing in the zombie apocalypse.
I received a review copy of this audiobook from the author.
Loved, loved, loved this collection of short stories! The first story gave us some insight into what happened to Vivian’s dad, and that right there had me hooked. We also got a short story that centered on Brady (before he met up with our crew). Two other stories featured new characters in familiar circumstances: One followed two of the women who escaped Monte Carlo when the gang broke Hailey and Vivian out, and another told the story of what happened to the girl who had been discovered to be immune (before Angus). Then there a couple of completely brand new stories. (One, about a newly married couple, kind of ripped my heart to shreds.) These stories are brutal—just like the rest of the series—and they’ll kick your heartbeat up a notch! If you haven’t read any of the Broken World series, you can get a taste of it by reading these—I’m guessing you’ll be hooked! 5/5 Stars.
These short stories were recommended to me a long time ago now but I was delighted to eventually get round to reading them. They are stories from the Broken World series which I haven’t read but that didn’t matter as they worked perfectly well on their own.
The writing is excellent and the pace sufficient to keep those pages turning. While they are short stories, they are long enough for you to thoroughly enjoy getting to know the characters and appreciate what they are going through.
There are also plenty of zombies and gruesome descriptions of what they get up to and if that is your bag then I thoroughly recommend this book, you won’t be disappointed.
I really liked the story about Vivians father Roger & her friend Cassie.It gave insight into her childhood and the abuse she suffered at the hands of her father.While I did enjoy this short story collection,I was continuously jolted out of the story by the numerous misplaced words in the book.There are so many i started highlighting them on my kindle app.But I would still recommend this book to fans of the Broken World Series.
7 short stories that take place in the Broken World setting. All about people dealing with the zombie apocalypse. Each story was interesting, but I would’ve been fine without really reading any of them; I don’t think they add much to the overall world. Still some good stories though. Entertaining little snippets.
Listened to this on Audible. Don’t like narration; too robotic/unnatural. She just sounded weird, but I finished the listen.
1. When Karma Bites You in the Ass
This one is about Roger and Cassie. They both live in a trailer park; separately, but know each other because she went to school with his daughter, when the zombie apocalypse starts they team up. They both are a bit gross and have their priorities wrong. He treated his family horribly, and she uses sex to get ahead. They work together to find fancier shelter, and survive the zombies. Despite not liking the characters, they do make for an interesting story. This one is a bit depressing, but the author did a good job showing the complexity of Roger.
2. Until Death Do Us Part
This one is about couple Sara and King; they’ve been together since they were kids, but their relationship isn’t doing so good. When the zombie apocalypse happens, they need to work together to survive. This one is heartfelt, but sad.
3. The Escape
This one is about Jane and Victoria. They were being imprisoned in the Monte Carlo in Las Vegas, where the women have been raped and tortured. Luckily, they are about to be broken out of there, but they still need to make it out of there alive; zombies and bad guys are still on the loose. Good action in this one.
4. Embracing the Insanity
This story is about Brady from the book, The Sweetest Torment. This story was at the end of that audiobook, so I had already heard this one. It's a longer version of the story he tells Regan in that book; about Him dealing with his wife dying at the beginning of the zombie apocalypse.
5. Thank You, Daddy
This book mainly featured Blake and Emma, who were side characters in The Loudest Silence. This story was already featured at the end of The Loudest Silence audiobook. It's about how Blake and Emma met at the beginning of the zombie apocalypse, the trauma they've suffered, and how they found themselves with a group of survivors. It was a good backstory for Blake and Emma, but it's sad because after getting their current story in the full book; I know things don't quite go well for them. Still liked getting to know them more. Entertaining story.
6. Starting Over
This one is about Mike, who is a wall watcher; he watches for zombies and other dangers, in New Atlanta. We get some information about the CDC trying to find immune people to find a cure, and about the early stages of New Atlanta.
7. Something Special
This story connects with the previous story. This one is about Anna in Key West, who is hiding out from zombies and dangers with her young brother, Mikey, and her boyfriend, Vince. She finds out something unknown about herself, and they find themselves meeting a new group. Things take a crazy, sad turn.
I have enjoyed reading the books in the "Broken World" series, as well as others written by this author. It is always nice to read some background stories that are linked to a series you enjoy. This book features some characters that are directly tied to others in the series while other stories are just a further look into how things might be if a zombie apocalypse happens.
There is plenty of action as well as emotion in these tales. How would you cope when a loved one dies and turns into a zombie? What would happen if you are the only person who seems to be immune to a zombie bite? How would you want to spend your last moments on earth? All of the stories were entertaining and well-written.
However, the narration was horrible. If I hadn't been a fan of the author's writings, I would have never listened to this book. I was immediately turned off after the first few minutes. The narrator's voice reminded me of the stereotypical Valley Girls and everything was overly emoted to the point of ridiculous. And, her attempts at male voices was awful! All of the male voices, no matter their age, sounded like old men who had smoked for 50 years.
If you are a fan of the author and/or series, it is worth trudging through the bad narration. Otherwise, don't bother.
I am absolutely utterly addicted to Kate L. Mary's Broken World series. This short story compellation was just enough to make me salivate for more of her post apocalyptic world and all the survivors within it.
In Broken Stories, Mary takes time to develop some characters we've heard about in previous books, but never met and also some new characters that I hope we will be hearing more from. Whether it's Vivian's raging alcoholic father or a new group of survivors in Oklahoma, Mary packs a punch with this short story set that will engage you from cover to cover.
I can't say enough wonderful things about Broken World or Mary's writing. If you are a lover of books and are looking of something different, interesting and at time heart palpitating then make sure you add this series to your kindle! Onto the next....
Broken Stories has seven different stories about the end of the world. Each story has different characters. Some stories tells about how some deal with the virus when it hits them and others go right into the heart of the apocalypse. They start out with the zombies instead of leading up to them.
Broken Stories are more than zombies they are love stories. Most are love stories between a man and woman but some are father and daughter. Each story has its own unique set of characters. Each story is intense with lots of action. Some are very heart wrenching. But there is lots of zombie killing with lots of blood and gore.
I highly recommend Broken Stories to all fans of zombies and the apocalyptic. If you have read the Broken World stories by Kate L. Mary then you will love Broken Stories.
The stories here are four star. The editing is two star. Three meets in the middle.
These are very interesting short stories in the series universe of Broken Worlds. I have seen some reviews that said they probably wouldn't have enjoyed this as much if they had read the prequel stories before they were invested in the characters, but I liked it all quite a bit and am really enjoying the feeling of having "secret knowledge" about Vivian's father now that I have moved on to book one in the series.
However, whoever copy edited this was a dolt or not paying close enough attention. I'd fire them. There are multiple cases of incorrect word usage, to the extent that it becomes extremely distracting to the stories themselves.
I received this book via a promo code and this is my voluntary review. We get to me a bunch of characters mentioned in the rest of the other Zombie series... Brady from before he meets Team Angus, Vivian's father in the first few days of the infection, and some of the other girls held with Hadley in Vegas in the rape motel. Mike one of the guards at the CDC who works with Philips. Some of them are heartbreaking like meeting Mikey, Vince and Anna for instance, who I met before in the Broken Memories and knowing what happens to her eventually when she meets Jane (and makes you hate the doctor even more.) We see the first few days of Emma and Blake meeting Jasper. Not every person you meet makes it but it's an enjoyable addition to the series.
I loved going into this not knowing what stories would be told. I was very excited to start off with a certain someone I had always wondered about that was mentioned in book one of the Broken World Series. To finally know what happens to that character gave me all the satisfaction I needed and also claimed clod so to speak.
The stories are short and to the point and I ate up every bloody second if it. It left me wanting more and more and more!
I would definitely recommend this little book of horrors if you are a fan of the series this is a must read!
Broken Stories is a compilation of Short Stories and Novelettes that accompanies the Broken World Series. From California to Oklahoma, South Carolina and Colorado, readers will get a glimpse at what other people went through before, during and after the zombie virus outbreak.
Some of the characters featured in these stories have close ties to the main characters in the Broken World series, while others are brand new. It’s an emotional, intense and exciting look at how the zombie apocalypse has changed the world.
I was impressed with this story. The characters in the series wondered if some of the people survived so it was good to hear their story although most didn't make it. I found myself wondering about the girls in Vegas. We got to see for ourselves what kind of xxx Vivian's father was. Then some characters we didn't know about. It was short and sweet. It gave us closure to the end of a series.
I really like these flawed "real" characters, at first you might think their disadvantaged back grounds would be a hindrance but it's the opposite, they've faced the meaness of society their whole lives so what's a few hundred dead peeps. The plot development is right on as you cheer on the survivors. Next book!!
I just realized I had not read this collection of short stories about characters from the Broken World series. I loved these...I was surprised to find Las Vegas and Key West in here. These may be short stories but Kate packs as much into them as she does her full length books. Thanks for including these shorts in the Broken World series.
Broken Stories: Stories from the Broken World Series Broken World #0.5) was another good read by Kate L. Mary. This is a compilation of short stories and novelettes that take place in the Broken World Series. These stories give a glimpse of what people went through before, during and after the zombie virus outbreak. I enjoyed reading this book by Kate L. Mary.
Great story. I liked how it had back stories on some familiar characters and stories about others briefly mentioned in the books. Thank you taking out Roger in a most fitting way!
it was nice to know what had happened to Viv's father and her friend. I enjoyed all the stories. I really hope we get more of this series sad to see it over. So well written and great books. going to start Kate's Twisted world series now.
Broken Stories is full of short stories, some about people we've already met, and some we haven't. We also get the story, of the immune girl in Key West. AWESOME stories everyone!!
Love the way Kate creates characters that seem so real! Like a next door neighbor, flaws and all. It doesn't take her long at all as you can see in these short stories.
A gripping collection of short stories, giving a glimpse into their lives just after the virus, gave me taste for the rest of the series! Can't wait to start the next book in the Broken World series. I received this book in exchange for my honest review.
Enjoyed reading the first series last. Didn't plan that way. But we nice now to see how it all started. Looking forward to reading Angus James but for now just started when we were human. I can't get enough of Kate Mary's books 📚
This book has a group of stories dealing with the apocalypse storyline in the "Broken World" series. Many of the characters in the stories have some connection to the characters in the " Broken World " series and in what New Atlanta is doing.
I wasn't thrilled with this book. Seems nearly everyone is an idiot except the people who made it to join up with the HEROS of the series, plus there are words out of place all over it.
The only reason this one got 4 stars instead of 5 is that it kind of spoils itself in a way. The names on each part kind of gives away who dies. This prequel follows many different character stories.